How to Fix Creaking Hardwood Floors

In time, wood floors can start to creak.

Creaking noises in hardwood floors are caused by the gradual loosening of the nails or staples that hold down the floorboards. This allows the boards to move slightly against each other when weight is applied, which is what creates that aggravating noise. A creaking floor isn't usually indicative of a structural problem, but it's annoying--and easy to fix. The trick is to find each loose spot and resecure it. Using screws instead of nails will ensure it doesn't come loose again.

Things You'll Need

• Small piece of sidewalk chalk
• Power drill
• Pilot bit
• Screwdriver bit
• 1 1/4 inch wood screws
• Wax stick (of a shade to match the floor)
• Old credit card

Instructions

1. Walk over each section of the floor slowly, listening for creaking in the boards. At each point where it creaks, put a small mark on the wood with your piece of chalk.

2. Load your drill with a pilot bit. At each point where you put a chalk mark, drill a pilot hole straight down. If the chalk mark is right on a seam between two boards, don't drill the hole there, but drill two holes, one on each side of the mark, about 1 inch inward onto the boards.

3. Set up the drill with your screwdriver bit. Get a handful of 1 1/4 inch screws. Walk the floor, sinking a screw at each point where you drilled a pilot hole. Make sure the screw heads are completely below the surface of the floor, leaving a well of about 1/8 inch.

4. Use your wax stick to force colored wax into each screw hole, covering the screw head completely and letting the wax mound up over the top. Run the edge of an old credit card across the wax to cut it off and get it flat with the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear goggles when using your power drill.

References

• Natural Handyman: Squeaking Floors